Patents by Inventor William D. Schaefer
William D. Schaefer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20190369771Abstract: A capacitive sensor associated with a substrate is presented. The electrode includes a self-capacitance; and a processing unit electrically coupled to the electrode and configured to register a first touch signature during a first touch event in response to an object approaching the electrode. The first touch signature occurring over a total time domain (T) between a first time and a second time, between a first substantially constant self-capacitance and a second substantially constant self-capacitance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: David W. Caldwell, William D. Schaefer, Robert G. Bos, Stefan G. Kurek
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Patent number: 10248264Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting a stimulus. The capacitive sensor includes first and second electrodes defining a capacitive coupling, and a processing unit electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes to determine the presence of a stimulus based on the rate of change of the capacitive coupling. A substrate is positioned adjacent the first and second electrodes, wherein the stimulus corresponds to the placement of an object against the substrate. The processing unit is operative to determine a time rate of change based on successive measurements of the capacitive coupling and in response to the capacitive coupling being greater than a predetermined reference value.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Alsentis, LLCInventors: David W. Caldwell, William D. Schaefer, Robert G. Bos, Stefan G. Kurek
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Patent number: 9437786Abstract: A spectrally adapted light emitting device for illuminating plants includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), at least one light conversion element for down-converting a portion of light emitted at the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength between 600 nm-680 nm, and at least one scattering device to diffuse light within the light emitting device. The at least one LED is configured to emit at least a first wavelength between 400 nm and 480 nm. The spectral light output from the spectrally adapted light emitting device is bi-modal with wavelengths in a range of 400 nm and 800 nm including a first local maximum between 400 nm and 480 nm and a second local maximum between 600 nm-680 nm with a local minimum between the first local maximum and the second local maximum.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Venntis Technologies LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Mastin, Daniel J. Fisher, Jamie C. Caldwell, David W. Caldwell, William D. Schaefer, Justin T. Teitt
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Publication number: 20160064620Abstract: A spectrally adapted light emitting device for illuminating plants includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), at least one light conversion element for down-converting a portion of light emitted at the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength between 600 nm-680 nm, and at least one scattering device to diffuse light within the light emitting device. The at least one LED is configured to emit at least a first wavelength between 400 nm and 480 nm. The spectral light output from the spectrally adapted light emitting device is bi-modal with wavelengths in a range of 400 nm and 800 nm including a first local maximum between 400 nm and 480 nm and a second local maximum between 600 nm-680 nm with a local minimum between the first local maximum and the second local maximum.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Jeffrey L. Mastin, Daniel J. Fisher, Jamie C. Caldwell, David W. Caldwell, William D. Schaefer, Justin T. Teitt
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Patent number: 9184350Abstract: A spectrally adapted light emitting device for illuminating plants includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), at least one light conversion element for down-converting a portion of light emitted at the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength between 600 nm-680 nm, and at least one scattering device to diffuse light within the light emitting device. The at least one LED is configured to emit at least a first wavelength between 400 nm and 480 nm. The spectral light output from the spectrally adapted light emitting device is bi-modal with wavelengths in a range of 400 nm and 800 nm including a first local maximum between 400 nm and 480 nm and a second local maximum between 600 nm-680 nm with a local minimum between the first local maximum and the second local maximum.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: VENNTIS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Mastin, William D. Schaefer, Daniel J. Fisher, Jamie C. Caldwell, David W. Caldwell, Justin T. Teitt
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Publication number: 20150301646Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting a stimulus. The capacitive sensor includes first and second electrodes defining a capacitive coupling, and a processing unit electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes to determine the presence of a stimulus based on the rate of change of the capacitive coupling. A substrate is positioned adjacent the first and second electrodes, wherein the stimulus corresponds to the placement of an object against the substrate. The processing unit is operative to determine a time rate of change based on successive measurements of the capacitive coupling and in response to the capacitive coupling being greater than a predetermined reference value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: David W. Caldwell, William D. Schaefer, Robert G. Bos, Stefan G. Kurek
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Patent number: 9041286Abstract: A volumetric light emitting device includes a substrate, a semiconductor light emitting diode disposed on the substrate and a reflector ring extending axially from the substrate. The reflector ring defines a first volume bounded by the substrate, an inner wall of the reflector ring, and a terminal plane at a distal end of the reflector ring. An encapsulant fills the first volume and encapsulates the semiconductor light emitting diode. A volumetric light conversion element surrounds the reflector ring and the first volume wherein the volumetric light conversion element is adapted to down-convert light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting diode at a first wavelength and emit the down-converted light at a second wavelength. A second volume of encapsulant or scattering material extends axially between the terminal plane and the volumetric light conversion element.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: VENNTIS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Daniel J. Fisher, David W. Caldwell, Justin T. Teitt, Jamie C. Caldwell, William D. Schaefer
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Publication number: 20140374780Abstract: A spectrally adapted light emitting device for illuminating plants includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), at least one light conversion element for down-converting a portion of light emitted at the first wavelength to at least a second wavelength between 600 nm-680 nm, and at least one scattering device to diffuse light within the light emitting device. The at least one LED is configured to emit at least a first wavelength between 400 nm and 480 nm. The spectral light output from the spectrally adapted light emitting device is bi-modal with wavelengths in a range of 400 nm and 800 nm including a first local maximum between 400 nm and 480 nm and a second local maximum between 600 nm-680 nm with a local minimum between the first local maximum and the second local maximum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: William D. Schaefer, Daniel J. Fisher, Jamie C. Caldwell, David W. Caldwell, Jeffrey L. Mastin, Justin T. Teitt
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Publication number: 20140354145Abstract: A volumetric light emitting device includes a substrate, a semiconductor light emitting diode disposed on the substrate and a reflector ring extending axially from the substrate. The reflector ring defines a first volume bounded by the substrate, an inner wall of the reflector ring, and a terminal plane at a distal end of the reflector ring. An encapsulant fills the first volume and encapsulates the semiconductor light emitting diode. A volumetric light conversion element surrounds the reflector ring and the first volume wherein the volumetric light conversion element is adapted to down-convert light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting diode at a first wavelength and emit the down-converted light at a second wavelength. A second volume of encapsulant or scattering material extends axially between the terminal plane and the volumetric light conversion element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: VENNTIS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Daniel J. Fisher, David W. Caldwell, Justin T. Teitt, Jamie C. Caldwell, William D. Schaefer
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Patent number: 8866497Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting a stimulus. The capacitive sensor includes an electrode and a processing unit electrically coupled to the electrode and configured to determine the presence of a stimulus based on the rate of change of the electrode capacitance. A substrate is positioned adjacent the electrode, wherein the stimulus corresponds to the placement of an object against the substrate. The processing unit is operative to determine a time rate of change based on successive measurements of the electrode capacitance. In addition, the processing unit is operative to determine the presence of a stimulus in response to the time rate of change being less than a reference value.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: AlSentis, LLCInventors: David W. Caldwell, William D. Schaefer
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Publication number: 20120068760Abstract: A capacitive sensor for detecting a stimulus. The capacitive sensor includes an electrode and a processing unit electrically coupled to the electrode and configured to determine the presence of a stimulus based on the rate of change of the electrode capacitance. A substrate is positioned adjacent the electrode, wherein the stimulus corresponds to the placement of an object against the substrate. The processing unit is operative to determine a time rate of change based on successive measurements of the electrode capacitance. In addition, the processing unit is operative to determine the presence of a stimulus in response to the time rate of change being less than a reference value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: ALSENTIS, LLCInventors: David W. Caldwell, William D. Schaefer
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Patent number: 6897390Abstract: Touch switches are integrated with thermoformable, injection molded, and other substrates to yield integrated touch switch/control panel assemblies. The ensuant assemblies can include ridges, depressions, anchors, overlaps, rivets and bezels or other housings. They can have any combination of flat and curved surfaces. Further, such assemblies can be incorporated into components of other assemblies, such as automobiles.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventors: David W. Caldwell, Kevin C. Bird, William D. Schaefer